October 3, 2016

TURF 2016: A compendium of posts - Concert Pictures

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Toronto Urban Roots Festival is my favourite festival of the concert season. It's got such a great vibe and fantastically curated line-up that brings me many of my favourites and several new discoveries each year. Not to say that many other festivals aren't super-enjoyable, well run and well curated, but TURF just has an energy that fits so well for me as a music fan.

This year's festival was no exception with highlights like The Hold Steady, Limblifter, The New Pornographers, Skinny Lister, The Hives and Matt Mays, plus new discoveries like John Moreland, Lee Harvey Osmond, Explosions in the Sky and Modern Space. The food is always a highlight and there are always eats I wish I'd had more room for. The site at Fort York Garrison Common is beautiful, historic and accessible, giving great spaces to see bands, eat meals and enjoy spectacular views.

One of the features that differentiates TURF from other festivals is the VIP access to the front-of-stage, front-of-the-barrier area typically known as the photo pit. Accredited photographers get access for the first three songs and then the VIP ticket-holders get to enjoy that view for the rest of each band's set. I think that this access is one of the best things about TURF and something that other festivals should adopt. It's a great VIP benefit that's well with paying extra for.

Here are links to every post on this year's festival, posts on each band at the outdoor festival and each band I caught during the Club Series. Photos by myself and Roy Cohen.